Staff shortages ‘causing neglect in care homes’
CARE home residents are dying alone and their everyday needs are being “neglected” because staffing levels are at such a “dangerously low” level, research suggests.
People in residential care are being denied a dignified end to their lives as there are not enough staff to sit with them during their final hours, according to a survey by Unison.
The union found that 31% of care workers said that staffing levels are dangerously low, getting worse and negatively affecting care quality, which is leaving carers feeling “exhausted, angry and upset”.
And two thirds (67%) are considering leaving the sector, which Unison says is a “disastrous but inevitable” consequence of years of low wages and morale and underfunding.
The union surveyed 1,637 employees in England, Wales and Northern Ireland between October 13 and November 4 who work in care homes, or help people at home or in supported living.
Respondents told of how people are not getting regular washes, some are not getting dressed until the afternoon, and others are being put to bed early so staff can attend to other residents. They described care as “depressingly rushed” and said its quality is declining, with “unsafe” staffing levels on both day and night shifts.
One respondent said: “The dying aren’t dying with dignity because there’s not enough staff to sit with people in their final hours.
“Residents are being neglected, not having baths, meals are late, and staff are exhausted.”
Another said: “The level of care is declining as there aren’t enough carers to do the job. People are being left in wet, dirty beds.”
Suzanne, a residential care worker, described staff levels as “dangerously low” at times, with care “well below acceptable standards”. The 40-year-old said: “I’ve had to leave residents in tears because I had to care for someone else who also needed me.”
Almost all respondents (97%) said their employer is experiencing staffing shortages, with burnout, overwork and low pay among the main reasons cited.
Some 47% agreed with the statement that shortages are having a negative impact on care, and 31% agreed that staffing levels are also dangerously low and getting worse.
A fifth (20%) said their workplace is managing despite the shortages, while 1% said their workplace is fine and is experiencing no serious staffing shortages.
Unison general secretary Christina Mcanea said a pay rise announced by the Government would bring some “early festive cheer” to care workers and persuade many on the verge of quitting to stay.
She said: “Care workers are leaving in their droves - burnt out from the pandemic, exhausted from covering under-staffed shifts, and fed up with low wages.
“This is nothing short of a nightmare for families worried about the care of their loved ones, overworked employees struggling to cope and employers concerned they won’t have the staff to stay open.”